Hakubi Line
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| Hakubi Line | |
 Limited Express Yakumo | |
| Locale | Okayama and Tottori Prefectures |
|---|---|
| Dates of operation | 1919–present |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm / 3 ft 6 in (narrow gauge) |
| Length | 138.4km / 86 miles |
The Hakubi Line (伯備線 Hakubisen) is a major rail line operated by JR West in the mountainous area of the Chūgoku region of Japan. It begins at the south end of Okayama Prefecture at Kurashiki Station in Kurashiki, passing through Niimi Station on the west side of Niimi, and terminating at Hōki-Daisen Station in Yonago, Tottori Prefecture, linking Okayama Prefecture and Yonago across the Chūgoku Mountains. The Hakubi Line follows the Takahashi River between Kurashiki and Niimi, and the Hino River between Shōyama and Hōki-Daisen.
Beginning in 2007, the ICOCA card can be used in all stations between Kurashiki Station and Bitchū-Takahashi Station.
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Line data
The Okayama office of JR West has jurisdictional control over operations between Kurashiki and Niizato stations, with the Yonago branch office picking up control between Kami-Iwami and Hōki-Daisen Station. The boundary is midway between Niizato and Kami-Iwami Stations. The line color for the portion covered by the Okayama office is vermillion orange, while the section covered by the Yonago office is the standard blue.
- Operator: West Japan Railway Company (Class-1 railroad) (Ibara Railway jointly operates the 3.4km section between Kiyone and Sōja Stations)
- Official line length: 138.4km
- Gauge: 1067mm
- Stations: 28
- Double track: Kurashiki - Bitchū-Takahashi, Ikura - Ishiga, and Niimi - Nunohara
- Electrified sections: all (1500V, direct current)
- Closure system: Special automatic closure type (track circuit detection, both single- and double-track sections)
- Speed limit:
- Kurashiki - Bitchū-Takahashi: 120km/h
- Bitchū-Takahashi - Ebi: 110km/h
- Ebi - Hōki-Daisen: 120km/h
- Smallest curve: 200R
- Steepest grade: 25%
- Operational command:
- Kurashiki - Niizato: Okayama CTC Center
- Niizato — Hōki-Daisen: Yonago CTC Center
History
Overview
The Hakubi Line is constructed as a generally south to north line. The north section opened in 1919 with the line between Hōki-Mizoguchi and Hōki-Daisen. The Hakubi South Line was created in 1925, with service between Shisawa (now Gōkei) and Kurashiki. In 1926, the line was extended through Ashidachi. The following two years brought more station openings with the line extending through Bitchū-Kawamo in 1927, and the section the connection between the north and south segments being made in 1928.
Timeline
- 1919-08-10: The Hakubi North Line opens with service between Hōki-Mizoguchi and Hōki-Daisen Stations
- 1922-03-25: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Hōki-Mizoguchi and Ebi Stations
- 1922-07-10: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Ebi and Neu Stations
- 1922-11-10: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Neu and Kurosaka Stations
- 1923-11-28: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Kurosaka and Shōyama Stations
- 1924-12-06: The Hakubi North Line opens service between Shōyama and Kami-Iwami Stations
- 1925-02-17: The Hakubi South Line opens service between Kurashiki and Shisawa Station (now Gōkei)
- 1925-04-01: The Hakubi North Line opens service at Kamisuge Station
- 1925-05-17: The Hakubi South Line opens service between Shisawa and Minagi Stations
- 1926-06-20: The Hakubi South Line opens service between Minagi and Kinoyama Stations
- 1926-12-01: The Habuki North Line opens service between Kami-Iwami and Ashidachi Stations
- 1927-07-31: The Hakubi South Line opens service between Kinoyama and Bitchū-Kawamo Stations
- 1928-10-25: Service opens between Bitchū-Kawamo and Ashidachi stations. The line is completed and renamed to Hakubi Line.
Stations
Listed in order from Kurashiki to Hōki-Daisen Station.
See also
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